TMZ, citing anonymous sources, first reported the alleged altercation Tuesday. The celebrity news website said Hernandez attacked a male inmate in a jail hallway with whom he had been "beefing with" earlier that day.

Hodgson said neither Hernandez nor the other inmate suffered any serious injuries in the altercation.

If he is charged with any new offenses, Hernandez would most likely be arraigned in New Bedford District Court.

Hernandez, 24, the former Patriots star tight end, is already charged with murder and firearms offenses stemming from the June 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd in the North Attleborough Industrial Park. His case is pending in Fall River Superior Court.

Hernandez has been held without bail at the county jail in Dartmouth since his arrest last summer. He has been assigned to a segregated unit where only one inmate is allowed to be outside of his cell at any given time.

Hodgson said the jail's internal investigation will also look into whether any of the correctional staff "fell short of our standards."